Robin Ohia manages He Kuranga Tukutuku He Kuranga Tangotango Kāhui Kura. He has a passion for Learning Design and influence across many communities within the education landscape. Robin brings his artist eye for the finer details required to ensure that from small beginnings, with careful cultivation and ingenuity the VLNC will produce long-term results.

VLNC Position
The Virtual Learning Network Community (VLNC) is a charitable trust set up in April 2010 to provide a formal structure for what had previously been a loose collaboration of schools and clusters, which had grown ‘organically’ over the last ten to eleven years from twelve schools in the OtagoNet cluster in 2002 to over two hundred schools nationally, providing for over 1500 students (2010). The VLNC Council is the formally constituted body that provides governance and strategic oversight of the Virtual Learning Network Community.
While the organisation is in its infancy, its members have a wealth of knowledge and experience in online learning. It is this accumulated wisdom and expertise of the VLN-C members, plus the commitment to collaboration and reciprocity that make this community unique within the education sector of New Zealand.

1. Vision – “commitment to educational transformation"
  • The Virtual Learning Network Community is committed to educational transformation across the New Zealand education system, and the adoption of 21st century learning practices which are flexible, individualised and multi-modal. It is committed to ensuring ALL learners have access to a quality, public education.
  • Recognises that 21st century learning will require significant change across the education sector, involving a wide range of stakeholders; and that the Government understands that achieving such change needs government and sector-wide leadership to develop and promote a vision, and to lead an integrated series of work programmes to implement that vision.
  • outcome based evidence to support learners.

2. Core Values and The Value Proposition- “A hub of Knowledge building and knowledge sharing”
  • Learner centred
  • Interdependence. A network of networks
  • Reciprocity, Community and Collaboration
  • Knowledge building and knowledge sharing.
  • A hub for knowledge sharing and knowledge building across the education sector. This gives schools access to a continually evolving and expert knowledge base with regards to community building, curriculum development and e-learning. This ensures the knowledge, experience and expertise built over the years is retained and independent of individuals.
  • It is a network of networks based on cooperation, collaboration and trust which aligns with the concept of a network for learning.
  • Key Partnerships and Relationships

3. Swot analysis “Opportunities”
  • Strengths: characteristics of the VLNC that give it an advantage over others
  • Weaknesses: VLNC characteristics that position it at a disadvantage relative to others
  • Opportunities: elements that the VLNC could leverage to its advantage
  • Threats: elements in the VLNC environment that could cause concern

3.1. Society - “Build the success stories and research for credibility”
  • Build the success stories and research for credibility
  • Greater links with early childhood and tertiary
  • Strengthen relationships with Maori education providers
  • Develop wider influences – Govt departments, businesses, language schools, ITOs etc.

5. Ecology-“Collaborative resource development and sharing”


6. Political- “Provide research into successful program implementation and its impact on schools”-